Kerala gears up to ease shutdown measures

Starting April 20, 14 districts in Kerala will be divided into four different zones for implementing partial easing of lockdown measures.

From April 20, while residents of Idukki and Kottayam districts may witness a return to normal life, within the Centre’s directive till May 3, Alappuzha, Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad, Thrissur and Wayanad may see partial lifting of lockdown measures.

In the case of Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Kollam districts, restrictions will be strictly observed till April 24, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, said here yesterday.

The decision had been taken after reviewing the Covid-19 situation in the state, Vijayan said and hoped the central government would give the state permission for the measures.

He said masks were compulsory for people stepping out of their homes.

“In Kottayam and Idukki districts, there are no coronavirus cases and hence normal life can resume from April 20. But the Centre’s overall general directive will be in place and no crowding, parties and such things be allowed. There will be no outside travel from these two districts and the Tamil Nadu border will remain closed,” said Vijayan.

In districts with few positive cases, hotspots would be identified and entry and exit from there would be monitored, he said adding that in other places, restricted movement would be allowed.

“On April 24, we will make a fresh review and decide if restrictions can be eased further,” said Vijayan.

Districts, like Kasargode, Kannur, Malappuram and Kozhikode, would remain in lockdown till May 3, he disclosed.

The chief minister said that after April 20, construction works, small traders, co-operatives, farming, food processing outlets, plantation sector and clinics would be allowed under strict social distancing norms and Covid-19 directives.

For vehicular movement, the government has decided to implement an ‘odd & even’ formula, but vehicles driven by women will be exempt.

He said all offices would be cleaned and disinfected before opening and migrant labourers in camps could be employed for this purpose.

Vijayan yesterday added that with the nationwide lockdown extended till May 3, the state would introduce telemedicine facility for all people above 60 years, and if required, a medical team will arrive at an affected home.

“We have sought the private health sector help. The district authorities will be co-ordinating with them. There is a register of all people above 60 years in every ward with the authorities. If a need arises, people can get in touch over phone with the nearby medical centre and take medical help. If the doctor feels that he needs to visit the patient, he will arrive at the home,” said Vijayan.

“There would be a mobile unit consisting of a doctor, a staff nurse and a paramedic,” said Vijayan.

Meanwhile, the state yesterday reported seven new coronavirus positive cases in the past 24 hours, and the total number of people currently under treatment is 147, Vijayan said.

The cumulative number of cases, including those cured, is 394.